Tuesday was the latest example of how Scott has steered clear — or been steered clear —from the presidential campaign trail.

While Romney stumped at an Orlando air filter manufacturing company, Scott was nowhere to be found.

Scott's obligation, according to his official calender: "staff and call time." (Romney was introduced at the event by Reps. Daniel Webster and Connie Mack, who is running for U.S. Senate.)

Later that day, Romney attended a luncheon with former Sen. Mel Martinez and Attorney General Bill McCollum at a posh Orlando country club.

As for Scott?

He was at a ceremonial bill signing in Miami.

Scott said it was a coincidence, and the Romney campaign wouldn’t discuss the issue with the paper.

But the missed events come against the backdrop of Scott’s continued low popularity in the polls. Between that, the governor’s lack of a real political organization and the fact that Scott didn’t endorse Romney until after Rick Santorum dropped out, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for the Romney camp to spend a lot of public time with the governor.